When it comes to modern day orthodontics, you may look for any excuse to get a clear corrective treatment over traditional metal braces. However, if you are younger or have severe malocclusion and alignment problems, City Place Dental wants you to know that traditional braces might better fit your needs for long term aesthetics and oral health.

Benefits of Each Treatment

Traditional Braces: For younger patients, the appearance of metal braces is not only part of growing up, it’s a rite of passage. With smaller brackets used in modern orthodontics, as well as colorful bands that allow patients to match their braces to personal preference, braces can be fun for kids and teens. Additionally, because brackets adhere to the surface of teeth, this treatment is able to fix severe cases of misalignment and teeth rotation that Invisalign® cannot.

Invisalign®: Aesthetically, this treatment is perfect for adults and older teens whose jaws have finished growing and for whom alignment problems are mild to moderate. Plastic aligners allow patients to correct teeth crowding without the obvious brackets or wires used in traditional braces.

The removability of the trays also makes eating and oral hygiene easier, allowing you to continue eating your favorite foods and brushing as you always do. Many patients even find that they can use take-home whitening solution in their trays too, letting them whiten their teeth while straightening them.

Limitations and Drawbacks

Traditional Braces: The obvious drawback of traditional braces are the ways in which it affects your smile. Even with ceramic brackets, the wire used to shift tooth placement will remain more noticeable than clear aligners.

Additionally, maintaining proper tooth care also becomes more challenging with brackets bonded to your teeth. In some cases, specially designed brushes and flossing implements are necessary to keep up basic oral hygiene.

Invisalign®: While more aesthetically pleasing than traditional braces, Invisalign® is not as effective at correcting complex alignment issues. Additionally, for younger patients who are unlikely to remember to wear their trays, this treatment will prove unproductive, as the treatment requires constant adherence for each successive aligner to work.

Silver Spring Orthodontic Treatment

When deciding which orthodontic treatment is right for you, the most important step is to consult your doctor. Call or schedule an appointment with City Place Dental today. Our orthodontist and dental team are committed to finding the orthodontic treatment that will work best for you.